ETSU junior, David Haefner, placed second in the 3000 meter steeplechase.

Friday, April 18, 2003

BOONE, N.C. (April 18, 2003)-- Day one of the 2003 Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships concluded this evening at a very soggy Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, N.C. Appalachian State leads the men's and women's race with Chattanooga trailing the women by 19 and Western Carolina trailing the men by 11.
On the men's side, Furman's Kevin Crosby won the 10,000-meter run with a time of 30:59.3, followed by Chattanooga's Steven Kocsis (31:08.8) and ASU's Derrick Williamson (31:27.12). Western Carolina's Jason Stepp won the hammer throw with a mark of 158-11 with teammate Nick McNeil taking second (152-09). Appalachian State's Daniel Duckworth (147-03) finished third in the event. In the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase, Chattanooga's Linus Salkauskas won the title with a time of 9:21.71 followed by East Tennessee State's David Haefner (9:25.21) and Chattanooga's Ian Mayne (9:33.27). Wofford's Adrien Borders took home first place in the long jump event with a mark of 23-08.75. Coming in second place was Deon Britton of Appalachian State (23-04) with teammate Holt McPherson finishing third (22-09.75).
On the women's side, Appalachian State's Ronda White won the long jump title with a mark of 19-1.25, followed by Georgia Southern's Kelli Mitchell (19-0) and Chattanooga's Kasola Smith (18-1.0). Chattanooga's Gina Recher won the 10,000 meter run with a time of 37:23.81 followed by Sarah Primeau (37:29.32) and Janelle Silverman (37:33.41), both from Appalachian State. Appalachian State's LaShanna Poole was the first athlete of the competition to qualify for the NCAA regionals, as she won the hammer throw title with a mark of 169-1. Coming in second was Georgia Southern's Amber Tiggs (165-01) and Western Carolina's Kineta Williams-Rogers (152-11) in third. Poole not only qualified for the NCAA regionals with her 169-1 mark, but she also set a new SoCon record. Chattanooga's Lanni Marchant took home top honors in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:28.89 followed by Furman's Katie Poole (11:29.61). East Tennessee State's Emily Chaney (Maryville, Tenn.) (11:41.47) finished third in the event.
Competition concludes on Saturday, April 19 with finals. For more information and results visit www.soconsports.com.
Men's Standings Points
1. Appalachian State 50
2. Western Carolina 39
3. Chattanooga 25
4. East Tennessee State 13
5. Wofford 11
6. Furman 10
7. Davidson 4
8. V.M.I. 2
9. The Citadel 2
Women's Standings Points
1. Appalachian State 47
2. Chattanooga 28
3. Georgia Southern 27
4. Western Carolina 21
5. Furman 13
6. UNC Greensboro 7
7. East Tennessee State 6
8. College of Charleston 4
9. VMI 3